Of course, you do not want to ruin your vacation by getting in jail in mexico. So better be safe at all times and make sure to obey the law wherever you are. But just in case you came across in any government place or document that shows the Seal of the United mexican States, you need to recognize it. The seal is officially used by the government in their legal documents and can be issued by the federal, state or municipal authorities.

If you have seen the national coat of arms, you can spot its similarity with the Seal of the United Mexican States. The official name of the country is just placed in the seal in semi-circular location on the upper part of it but the rest is the same. So the next time you see the seal on any place, you are familiar with it and can take your necessary actions with precaution.

In 1943, the lyrics written by Francisco Gonzalez Bocanegra and played with the music by Jaime Nuno Roca, the National Anthem of mexico or Himno Nacional Mexicano was officially proclaimed. The Mexicanos, al grito de Guerra or Mexicans, at the cry of war, is the anthem’s unofficial name and was first performed for the Fiestas Patrias or Independence Fiestas on September 15, 1854. This anthem illustrates the mexican triumph over the battles for their homeland on its original 10 stanzas and 1 chorus that was modified later on into 4 stanzas and 1 chorus.

For the Olympic Games and even in television or radio shows, they just sang only parts of the anthem usually composed of the chorus, 1^st stanza, chorus, 10^th stanza and chorus. Just like the other anthems around the world, it signifies unification and identity for a country. The Mexican law also allowed lyrics translation to indigenous language of the country such as Chinanteco, Hna Hnu, Mixteco, Maya, Nahuatl and Tenek.

The original lyrics were as follow:

Mexicanos, al grito de guerra
El acero aprestad y el bridón;
y retiemble en sus centros la tierra
Al sonoro rugir del cañón.

Ciña oh patria!
tus sienes
de oliva
De la Paz el arcángel divino,
Que en el cielo tu eterno destino
Por el dedo de Dios se escribió.

Más si osare un extraño enemigo
Profanar con su planta tu suelo,
Piensa, oh patria querida ,que el cielo
Un soldado en cada hijo te dio.

Guerra, guerra sin tregua al que intente
De la patria manchar los blasones!

Guerra, guerra! Los patrios pendones
En las olas de sangre empapad.

Guerra, guerra! En el monte, en el valle
Los cañones horrísonos truenen

Y los ecos sonoros resuenen
Con las voces de
Unión!
Libertad!

Antes, patria, que inermes tus hijos

Bajo el yugo su cuello dobleguen,

Tus campiñas con sangre se rieguen,
Sobre sangre se estampe su pie.

Y tus templos, palacios y torres
Se derrumben con hórrido estruendo,
Y sus ruinas existan diciendo:
De mil héroes
la patria aquí fue.

Coro

Patria!  patria!
Tus hijos te juran
Exhalar en tus aras su aliento,
Si el clarín con su bélico acento
Los convoca a lidiar con valor.

Para ti las guirnaldas de oliva!

Un recuerdo para ellos de gloria!

Un laurel para ti de victoria!

Un sepulcro para ellos de honor!

Mexicanos, al grito de guerra
El acero aprestad y el bridón;
y retiemble en sus centros la tierra
Al sonoro rugir del cañón.

There are about 5000 versions of the tamale sold in Mexico.

In Mexico City, the tamal is often placed inside a wheat bread roll to form a torta de tamal, substantial enough to keep the breakfaster going until Mexico’s traditionally late lunch hour.

Pastel de Tres Leches or roughly translated “Three Milks Cake” is a traditional desert in Latin America. The origins of this desert isnt really that known but it is thought to have come from Central America. The first publication of the recipe is in a Nestle Evaporated Milk can in the 60s. It has become popular in South and Central America and also the Carribean. Basically, it is a sponge cake, soaked in milk syrup or sweet cream sauce made up of three kinds of milk. The milk used in Pastel de Tres Leches is evaporated, condensed and cream. It may look complicated but Mexicans always have easy cooking techniques and this one is just like how you bake any other cake.

This is the Pastel de Tres Leches cake served with cold milk as the sauce.

This simple dish is one  you should try when you’re in mexico. Salsa chicken is baked chicken with a salsa topping. Its a very savory dish and like all mexican food, it is quite easy to make. Some food joints in Mexico specialize in making this, a house specialty if you will. This is a must try when you come on down to Mexico. You will never forget the experience.

There are a lot of variations to this dish, even though it has a basic ingredient. Salsa and chicken. But some have tried it with boneless chicken, or dressed chicken. Salsa can be spicy or not, depending on what your guests prefer. It can be served with several kinds of side dishes like sweet corn, brown rice, beans and etc.

One popular mexican food is the Quesadilla. And if you’re still reeling after your vacation and want some mexican food, you can make this using this simple recipe.

Over medium heat, warm the torilla in a griddle or flat pan. Place the tortilla and beans in the pan. Smash it down enough for the tortilla to stick to the bean. Check if the cheese is starting to melt by lifting a side of the tortilla. If it has melted a little, flip it to the other side. Once the other side is done, remove from pan and cut into wedges. Serve while hot.

When you are in mexico, it is good to know some mexican customs and traditions.  Many Mexicans are known for their patience, and in return they want this trait to be with visitors to their country.  Practice patience everywhere and remember that the service in Mexico, though known for their humbleness and hospitality, may differ from your own country.  And also one tip to remember is that Mexicans are used to talking closer than one arm’s length.  This is not something that they do to irritate you or anything; it is just how they are.  So keep these things in mind for you to have a pleasant and joyous Mexican vacation.